ENROLLMENT FAQ FOR ADMINISTRATORS

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QUESTION

ANSWER

RESOURCES

How do I enroll my child in a charter school?

Parents should contact each individual school to inquire if it has openings and what the application process is for that charterÂ school. If the school has more applicants than available slots, a lottery must be conducted to fill the slots. Charter school lotteries are required to be publicly conducted and may be attended by any member of the public.

If I am interested in enrolling my child in a charter school, what questions should I ask the school?

Questions you may want to ask:  What is the school's mission?  May I schedule an appointment to tour the school?  Can I see your school's testing data and other academic results you have available?  How often does your board meet?  How often, and in what manner, do teachers communicate with parents?

What are the requirements for acceptance into a charter school? Who is eligible to attend a charter school?

Any child who qualifies to attend a NC public school under the laws of NC is also eligible to be accepted into a charter school. Parents must apply for the school they are interested in having their child/children attend by the stated application deadline. Parents should be aware that, based on the number of applicants for the available school slots, a lottery may be used by the school to determine who is accepted. In that case, acceptance is not guaranteed for all applicants.

Am I permitted to enroll my child in a charter school that is not located in the local school district in which I live?

Yes. Students enrolling in a charter schoolÂ are not restricted to one local school district. Parents may choose the school that they feel is most appropriate for their child. Charter schools in North Carolina must admit any child residing in NC who is qualified to attend NC schools regardless of which school district the child resides in.

What is the definition of a sibling as it pertains to sibling preference?

The law defines a sibling to include any of the following who reside in the same household: half siblings, step-siblings, and children residing in a family foster home. Charter schools, by law, are permitted to offer sibling preference, but are not required to do so. Each school should have a board policy defining which legally permitted preferences it will grant.

The law states, Any child who qualifies under the laws of this State for admission to a public school is qualified for admission to a charter school. The NC School Attendance and Student Accounting manual states, Foreign Exchange students coming to NC and are not domiciles of NC must be enrolled as Visiting Students. Therefore, Foreign Exchange students cannot enroll in charter schools because they are not domiciled in NC.

Charter Schools are public schools and are tuition free. Funding for the schools come from federal, state, and local taxes. Charter schools shall not charge tuition or fees, except that a charter school may charge any fees that are charged by the local school administrative unit in which the school is located. A charter school, upon approval by the board of directors of the charter school, may establish fees for extracurricular activities charged by a local school administrative unit in which forty percent (40%) or more of the students enrolled in the charter school reside.

A charter school serves students in grades K-12 only, so if it has a pre-K, it must be separate from the approved public school (with no preference to get into the lottery).Parents that choose to enroll in the preschool must be informed from the beginning of the separation between the charter school and the preschool. In the event preschool parents decide to apply for enrollment in the charter school, their children will go through the same enrollment and lottery process as any other student seeking admission. Preschool parents are not afforded an exemption from the lottery or any type of immediate entry into the school. After school programs are offered according to the school's charter. Inquire with the individual school about its program offerings.